So, I'm approaching the half-way point of my goal...have you noticed??!! 250 is now IN SIGHT! I've definitely noticed an improvement in my painting so far which has been encouraging, however I can't deny that I have also been feeling a little out of steam. Up until now, my learning strategy has been to just PAINT and figure things out as I go. Besides getting feedback through my Facebook page and a handful of painting outings with Rachel, I've been plugging along solo, just little 'ol me. I think it was after 'The Gathering' Plein Air event, that I realized that I could benefit greatly from some help to push me to the next level.

I am SOOOO THANKFUL to have found Donna Shortt...she offers a weekly painting mentoring class at the Southside Art League, just 30 minutes from my house. (And most workshops from award-winning artists that I've seen are uber, UBER expensive, where as Donna's class is super affordably priced. YEA!!!) I got so much out of going, I can't even tell you! I brought down with me my Painting No. 214 which I posted on the blog here just a day or two ago. Not that that painting was a complete disaster, but still it needed help and I couldn't figure out what exactly was wrong. Donna asked me to really key in on VALUES (lights and darks) and to get into the practice of doing a rough value study BEFORE jumping right into a painting. So that's what I did....and I am much happier with the results of my No. 217. Donna also had some wonderful book recommendations: Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting by John F. Carlson, and Composition of Outdoor Painting by Edgar Payne...both of which I am devouring now.

I feel like I've gotten a turbo burst of knowledge, support, and inspiration in just one step out of my little rut....I'm just wishing I had stepped out SOONER! :)

Painting no. 216, oil on board, 5x7inSoon to be on display Petrov Gallery in Broad Ripple!

Finding beauty in the half-dead! haha Yes, here's the tree by our garage...it's in rough shape to say the least. I've hardly even noticed it really, until one night when I was out playing with the kids. I was amazed by the color variation on these leaves...and that electric bright green on the stems... STUNNING, absolutely 'yummy'! So I ran and got my camera and snapped a bunch of pics. I really enjoyed painting this...and thanks to the comments on my Facebook page, I found out what type of tree this is...a Smoke Tree. I learned that if I take the time to notice, I can find beauty in unexpected places! :)

My painting buddy Rachel Steely and I have been trying to get out consistently this summer and boost our plein air skills! This particular night we roped in two more artists pals to come with us. It turned out to be a rainy evening, but we found some sheltered spots to keep cover at Holliday Park. I chose to paint the Nature Center entrance. I'm really pleased with how this painting turned out. And the evening proved my theory true, that painting is much for fun with buddies! Looking forward to more artsy fun with these pals in the coming months! :)